SBI Clerk Exam Day Guidelines 2026, Check Documents to Carry and Other Do’s and Don’ts

The SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 exam is scheduled to be conducted on September 26 and 27, 2026 for candidates applying under the Junior Associate recruitment. With the exam approaching, candidates should check their exam center, reporting time, documents, items allowed and entry instructions in advance, along with revising the syllabus. The Preliminary Examination Call Letter has been released by SBI on its official careers portal.

SBI Clerk Exam Day Guidelines 2026

The exam will be conducted in four shifts, and the exact date, shift and reporting time allotted to a candidate are mentioned on the call letter. Candidates should reach the venue well before the reporting time because late entry is not permitted.

SBI Clerk Exam Day Guidelines 2026 cover the key rules for candidates appearing on September 26 and 27. Candidates should carefully check their shift timings, reporting instructions, documents to carry, prohibited items, dress code, exam hall rules and a final checklist to avoid last-minute issues.

Key Highlights

Particulars	Details
Exam	SBI Clerk Prelims 2026
Post	Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales)
Exam Dates	September 26 and 27, 2026
Mode	Online Computer-Based Test
Shifts	4 shifts per day
Duration	60 minutes
Reporting Time	As mentioned on the individual call letter
Important Documents	Call Letter, Original Photo ID, ID Photocopy, 2 Passport-Size Photographs
Exam Centre	As mentioned on the call letter

Before Leaving Home: The 7-Point SBI Clerk Checklist

Instead of checking everything at the examination gate, candidates should complete this checklist the night before:

Print the call letter
Paste the photograph
Keep two extra photographs
Pack the original photo ID
Keep an ID photocopy
Check the centre route
Check reporting time twice

SBI Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026

The regular SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 examination is being conducted in four shifts on September 26 and 27. The currently reported shift schedule is as follows:

Shift	Reporting Time	Exam Time	Duration
Shift 1	8:00 AM	9:00 AM–10:00 AM	1 Hour
Shift 2	10:30 AM	11:30 AM–12:30 PM	1 Hour
Shift 3	1:00 PM	2:00 PM–3:00 PM	1 Hour
Shift 4	3:30 PM	4:30 PM–5:30 PM	1 Hour

Documents to Carry for SBI Clerk Exam 2026

The documents section is the most important part of the exam-day preparation. If you forget any of the mandatory docuuments then you may not be allowed to sit inside the exam centre.

Document	What to Carry
SBI Clerk Call Letter	Printed copy with photograph affixed as instructed
Photo ID	Original valid photo identity proof
ID Photocopy	One clear photocopy of the same ID
Passport Photos	2 recent photographs matching the application photograph
Stationery	Ball-point pen, if permitted. Will be provided at the exam centre as well

SBI Clerk Exam Day Do’s and Don’ts

The exam-day process generally involves several verification stages before the candidate enters the computer lab. For a smooth exam experience keep these important points in mind:

Do’s	Don’ts
Reach the exam centre before the reporting time.	Do not arrive late at the examination centre.
Carry the original valid photo ID.	Do not carry mobile phones, smartwatches or Bluetooth devices.
Carry a photocopy of the photo ID.	Do not carry calculators or calculator-enabled watches.
Carry two recent passport-size photographs.	Do not carry books, notes, written material or loose sheets.
Check the call letter before leaving home.	Do not carry unauthorised stationery or other prohibited items.
Follow all instructions given by the invigilator.	Do not leave your seat without the invigilator’s permission.
Use only the rough sheets provided at the exam centre.	Do not take rough sheets outside the examination hall.
Keep your belongings limited to essential items.	Do not communicate with other candidates during the examination.

SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 Exam Pattern

The Preliminary Examination consists of 100 questions for 100 marks, with a total duration of 60 minutes. Each section has its own 20-minute time limit.

Section	Questions	Marks	Time
English Language	30	30	20 minutes
Numerical Ability	35	35	20 minutes
Reasoning Ability	35	35	20 minutes
Total	100	100	60 minutes

FAQs

When is the SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 exam?

The SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 for regular Junior Associate recruitment is scheduled for September 26 and 27, 2026.

How many shifts will be conducted for SBI Clerk Prelims 2026?

The examination is scheduled to be conducted in four shifts each day.

What documents are required for the SBI Clerk exam?

Candidates should carry the printed call letter, original photo ID, photocopy of the ID and two additional passport-size photographs, as instructed by SBI.

Can I carry a digital copy of my photo ID?

Candidates should carry the original physical photo ID and the required photocopy rather than relying on a digital copy.

How many photographs should I carry?

Candidates should carry two additional recent passport-size photographs matching the photograph used in the application, along with the photograph required on the call letter. In total, three photographs.

Can I carry my mobile phone to the SBI Clerk exam?

Mobile phones are among the electronic items prohibited inside the examination hall.

Is a smartwatch allowed in the SBI Clerk exam?

No. Smartwatches and similar electronic devices are not permitted in the examination hall.

Can I carry a calculator?

No. SBI's examination instructions prohibit calculators, including calculator functions incorporated into watches.

Can I carry books or notes?

No. Books, notebooks, written notes and similar study material are prohibited inside the examination hall.

What happens if I reach the exam centre late?

Candidates who do not follow the reporting time may not be permitted to take the examination. SBI specifically instructs candidates to follow the reporting time mentioned in the call letter.

What should I check on the SBI Clerk call letter?

Check your name, roll number, examination date, shift, reporting time, centre address and other instructions carefully.

Can I change my SBI Clerk exam centre or shift?

Candidates should appear at the centre and shift allotted on their call letter. Any request regarding a change should be checked against the instructions issued by SBI.

Is a photocopy of the photo ID required?

Yes. SBI's Junior Associate instructions require the original photo ID along with a photocopy.

What type of clothes should I wear?

Wear simple, comfortable clothes and avoid unnecessary metallic accessories or jewellery that may make the security-check process longer.

Can I carry rough sheets?

Candidates should not carry their own rough sheets. Rough sheets are provided at the examination centre and have to be returned after the test.

Can I leave the examination hall whenever I want?

Candidates should not leave their seats or the examination hall without following the instructions of the examination staff.

What is the duration of SBI Clerk Prelims?

The SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination has a total duration of 60 minutes, with 20 minutes allotted to each of the three sections.

How many questions are asked in SBI Clerk Prelims?

There are 100 questions in the Preliminary Examination: 30 from English Language, 35 from Numerical Ability and 35 from Reasoning Ability.

What should I do the night before the SBI Clerk exam?

Keep your call letter, photographs, original photo ID, photocopy and required stationery ready. Also check the route to your examination centre and reporting time.

Where can I check the official SBI Clerk exam instructions?

Candidates should refer to the SBI Careers portal and the instructions printed on their individual call letter. SBI's current careers page provides the Junior Associates call letter and Acquaint Yourself Booklet.